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History and Growth
Soroptimist International of Riverside has, since its Charter on April 10, 1948, offered business and professional women who live or work in Riverside an opportunity to become involved in relevant community service projects.
The club’s first major project was to launch the Braille Institute Auxiliary for Riverside in 1949. In 1973, members worked vigorously to establish the Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center and have financially supported the center since that time. In 1976, SI Riverside completed the History Walk of Riverside at Raincross Square, a project the club undertook as part of the city’s Bicentennial celebration.The History Walk is currently being relocated.
Through the years members have initiated many projects such as purchasing a van for the YWCA Born Free Program, providing a library for the Janet Goeske Center and purchasing playground equipment for Juvenile Hall. Members have been active by participating in numerous fundraising projects through the years, as well as serving on the Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center Board of Directors.
For the past nine years, Soroptimist International of Riverside has held the Live Your Dream Conference. The annual conference is an all day conference designed to inspire seventh and eighth grade girls to live their dream by introducing them to women in various professions, such as finance and technology, medical and science, governmental services, entrepreneurship, and performing and visual arts.
SI Riverside has brought many visitors to Riverside. In 1987, 1994, and 2005, the SI Golden West Region Spring Conference was held at Raincross Square and Convention Center, a two-day event with 500-700 women attendees. Members have also entertained visitors from Friendship Link Clubs: Sendai, Japan; Sued-Burgenland, Austria; and Leith, Scotland; as well as Soroptimist members from Kenya, Israel and Germany.
The UN officially recognized Soroptimist International by granting it Category I status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This means Soroptimist International can send representatives to specialized agency meetings.
Soroptimist International of Riverside is a nonprofit charitable organization under the Soroptimist International of the Americas 501(c)(3) Group Tax Exemption No. 3899.
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